Beats Solo 4 Review: 50-Hour Wireless On-Ear Headphones for Everyday Listening
If you’re searching for stylish wireless headphones that can last for days on a single charge, the Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear Bluetooth headphones are designed exactly for that. With up to 50 hours of battery life, support for both Apple and Android, and a lightweight on-ear design, they are built to be your everyday music and call companion. beatsbydre.com+1
In this deep-dive review, we’ll look at the design, comfort, sound quality, battery performance and smart features of the Beats Solo 4 so you can decide if they fit your lifestyle and budget.
Design & Build: Classic Beats Look, Updated Comfort
The Beats Solo line is famous for its clean, minimal style, and the Beats Solo 4 in Matte Black keeps that same iconic look with a more refined finish. You get: beatsbydre.com+1
- A compact, on-ear form factor
- An ultra-lightweight build around 217 g, making them easy to wear for long sessions
- Foldable design that fits neatly into the included carrying case
- Brushed metal accents and smooth, premium-feeling plastics
The headband uses a flex-grip system with adjustable sliders, while the ear cups are ergonomically angled so the drivers sit correctly over your ears. UltraPlush cushions are designed to stay soft and comfortable, even when you wear them for hours. beatsbydre.com
These are not bulky studio headphones – they’re slim and portable, ideal for travel, office, or commuting.
Comfort: Ultra-Light On-Ear Fit for All-Day Use
On-ear headphones can sometimes press too hard and cause fatigue, but Beats has clearly tried to balance clamping force and comfort on the Solo 4.
Key comfort points: beatsbydre.com+1
- Lightweight (around 217 g) so they don’t feel heavy on your head
- Soft UltraPlush ear cushions that create a gentle seal
- Adjustable headband for different head sizes
- Foldable design that still feels solid, not flimsy
Because they are passive noise-isolating (no ANC), the clamp has to be firm enough to block some outside noise, but most users find the fit reasonably comfortable for long playlists, Zoom calls and flights, provided you take short breaks.
Sound Quality: Powerful, Balanced Beats Tuning
Inside the Beats Solo 4 you get custom-built 40 mm drivers that are tuned to reduce distortion and latency and deliver a clear, powerful sound signature. fixlygsm.ro+1
The sound profile is what many people expect from Beats – energetic and enjoyable – but with better balance than older models:
- Bass: Deep and punchy enough for hip-hop, EDM and pop, but more controlled and less muddy than older Beats generations.
- Mids: Clear vocal presence for podcasts and songs, so voices don’t completely disappear behind the bass.
- Highs: Crisp enough to bring out detail in instruments like hi-hats, guitars and strings without becoming too harsh at normal volumes.
For everyday listeners, playlists and movies, the Solo 4 offer a fun, engaging sound signature that feels exciting rather than “flat studio monitor” neutral.
Spatial Audio & Lossless Listening
One of the biggest upgrades compared to many older on-ear models is support for Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking on Apple devices. beatsbydre.com+1
- When used with compatible Apple hardware, your music and movies can feel like they’re “around you” instead of just left and right.
- Built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers track your head movement so the sound field feels more immersive.
For audiophiles, the Solo 4 also include a built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and support lossless audio when you plug in via USB-C or the 3.5 mm audio cable. beatsbydre.com+1
- USB-C audio: great if you want better detail from high-quality streaming.
- 3.5 mm analog input: you can listen with zero battery power when used wired – perfect on long trips when you don’t want to worry about charging at all.
Battery Life: Up to 50 Hours + Fast Fuel
Battery life is where the Beats Solo 4 really stand out.
- Up to 50 hours of wireless listening on a single charge
- Fast Fuel: around 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge
- No battery needed at all in wired 3.5 mm mode beatsbydre.com+2Apple+2
That kind of endurance is easily enough for a full work week of music and calls without reaching for the charger. For travellers, students and busy professionals, this is a huge advantage over many headphones that only last 20–30 hours.
Charging is via USB-C, which keeps things simple if you already use modern phones, tablets or laptops.
Connectivity & Smart Features (Apple and Android)
The Beats Solo 4 are designed to work smoothly with both iOS and Android, not just Apple devices. beatsbydre.com+2Apple+2
Wireless & Device Features
- Class 1 Bluetooth for extended wireless range and fewer dropouts
- One-touch pairing on iOS and fast pairing on Android
- Automatic pairing across devices in the same ecosystem
- Support for Find My / Find My Device to help you locate your headphones if lost
Call Quality & Controls
The Solo 4 include multiple digital beam-forming microphones with advanced voice-targeting and noise-reduction algorithms so your voice stays clear on calls, even in noisy places. Amazon UK+1
On the left ear cup you get:
- The “b” button to control music and calls (play, pause, skip, answer, end)
- Volume up/down controls
- Power/pairing button
Voice assistants are also supported:
- “Hey Siri” hands-free on Apple devices
- Press and hold for your voice assistant on Android
Noise Isolation: No Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
It’s important to understand that Beats Solo 4 do not offer active noise cancelling. They are passive noise-isolating headphones, relying on the physical seal of the ear cushions to reduce outside sound. Currys+1
What this means for you:
- Good enough for office use, commuting and indoor environments
- You’ll still hear louder sounds like engines, crowded streets or loud conversations
- If ANC is essential to you, Beats Studio Pro or other ANC models might be a better fit
On the positive side, the lack of ANC helps keep the price lower and improves battery life.
Who Are Beats Solo 4 Best For?
The Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear headphones are ideal for:
- Everyday listeners who want stylish, comfortable headphones for music, videos and calls
- Commuters and travellers who value 50-hour battery life and foldable design
- Apple users who want spatial audio, Find My support and easy pairing
- Android users who still want fast pairing and solid Bluetooth performance
- Students and office workers who need reliable call quality and simple controls
They are less ideal if you:
- Need strong active noise cancelling
- Prefer over-ear designs with larger ear cups
- Want ultra-neutral, reference-grade studio sound
Pros and Cons of Beats Solo 4
Pros
- Up to 50 hours of wireless battery life
- Fast Fuel gives ~5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge
- Lightweight and foldable on-ear design with UltraPlush cushions
- Fun, powerful and more balanced sound than older Beats models
- Lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5 mm with built-in DAC
- Seamless experience on Apple and Android
- Great call quality with digital beam-forming mics
Cons
- No active noise cancelling (ANC)
- On-ear style may not be as comfortable as over-ear for everyone
- Bass-forward tuning may be too energetic for people who prefer a very flat sound
Final Verdict: Is the Beats Solo 4 Worth It?
If you want stylish, portable, long-lasting wireless headphones that work well with both Apple and Android, the Beats Solo 4 are a strong value choice. You get premium design, long battery life, immersive features like Spatial Audio on Apple devices, plus the option for lossless wired listening when you really want to focus on sound quality.
They’re not built for hardcore noise-cancelling fans, but for most people who just want great-looking, great-sounding headphones that they rarely need to charge, Beats Solo 4 are absolutely worth considering.
